If you’re preparing for your very first craft show, you’re probably busy making products, planning your display, and figuring out how to take payments. >> Here’s a checklist for some other things to think about for your first craft show But there may be some things and details you don’t think about. Every experienced vendor…
Craft shows can be profitable, but they require planning. It’s not enough to just show up with your products, place them on a table, and wait for shoppers to buy. There’s a lot to think about, from how much stock to bring to how to display all that stock. But every craft show vendor starts…
It’s bound to happen at some point. You’re chatting with shoppers, feeling good about your setup, and then someone picks up an item and says: “If I buy two, can you give me a deal?” Or worse… “I saw something just like this at [insert big-box store] for half the price!” Even though most shoppers…
Craft shows are a lot of work, and if you’re like me, you want to sleep for a week after one. However, to capitalize on sales, prepare your business for the next event, and apply important information to improve your business, there are a few tasks you should incorporate into your schedule (along with some…
If you want local shops to start selling your handmade products, there are a few elements you need in place first. This article will walk you through how to get set up for wholesale orders and attract retail buyers. Benefits Selling your products through local shops means: Bigger orders – retailers will often buy multiples…
Once you’ve set your business up for selling wholesale, you can start approaching retailers and pitching your products. I hesitated longer than I should because I didn’t know where to start. Who should I contact? Who do I ask to speak to? What should I say to them? This article will walk you through the…
I’ve never loved selling. I didn’t like it when I worked for a retailer, and I like it even less when I’m having to promote my own work. But selling is a necessity if you want a successful business. So I’m sharing my best tips as someone who strongly dislikes selling. 1) Focus on…
Not every craft show in your city, or every craft show you’re invited to, will be a fit for your business and its products. Even the biggest and most popular craft shows may not be right for you. Here’s what to review. 1 – Target market First and foremost, get an idea of who the…
There are many reasons craft show shoppers leave a table without buying. But this article is covering why shoppers will avoid your table altogether. Craft show shoppers often make split-second decisions about which booths to approach or skip. Here are the most common reasons they might purposely avoid a table or booth (even if the…
If you’ve been a reader of mine for a while, you know I’m an advocate of “less is more”. I made the mistake of trying to offer something for everyone when starting my craft business and learned, firsthand, how specializing in something can boost sales. Specializing is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) ways…